1. Recipes

How to Make Perfectly Simple Pumpkin Cheesecake - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's a certain magic in the air when fall comes around and pumpkins start appearing on doorsteps and in grocery stores. From pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin pie, there's no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy this quintessential fall ingredient. One of our favorite ways to indulge in all things pumpkin is with a perfectly simple pumpkin cheesecake.

This cheesecake is a delightful twist on the classic dessert, with a creamy pumpkin filling that's perfectly spiced and nestled in a bu...

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Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 8 whole graham crackers
  • 1 (15 ounce) can 100% pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 ¾ cups dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Optional garnish: Toasted or candied pecans

Information

  • Servings: 15
  • Yield: 15 servings

  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Heat butter and sugar in a saucepan until butter melts. Meanwhile, line the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with a 12-by-20-inch sheet of foil so it hangs over the long sides of the pan (you'll use this as a 'handle' to pull the cooked dessert from the pan). Arrange graham crackers over foil-lined pan bottom, cutting the final few with a knife so they'll fit snugly. Pour butter mixture over crackers; spread with knife to cover. Bake until butter-sugar mixture starts to harden, about 7 minutes. Remove from oven. Reduce temperature to 300 degrees.
  • As crust bakes, heat pumpkin, 1 1/4 cups brown sugar and spices in a medium pan over medium-high heat until mixture is sputtery hot. Process eggs on high speed in a blender. Transfer pumpkin to a pourable container. With blender running, slowly add pumpkin mixture; puree until smooth. Add cream cheese, one block at a time; puree until smooth. Pour mixture over crust; bake until set, about 35 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix sour cream, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and vanilla. Remove cheesecake from oven. Pour sour cream mixture evenly over top; carefully spread so top is completely covered. Return to oven. Bake to set topping, about 5 minutes longer. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate (can be made up to 2 days ahead).
  • To serve, run a knife around the pan perimeter to loosen cake. Use foil handles to pull cake from pan. Cut into squares (up to 15) and garnish with optional pecans.

    • Nutrition

    475 cal.

    • Total Fat: 34g
    • Saturated Fat: 18g
    • Cholesterol: 125mg
    • Sodium: 300mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 38g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 31g
    • Protein: 8g
    • Vitamin C: 2mg
    • Calcium: 116mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 250mg

    Categories

    Cheesecake recipes
    Pumpkin recipes
    Dessert recipes
    Thanksgiving recipes
    Autumn recipes